A MURAL that is proving controversial has been painted over and will be re-done.

The new mural on the Canvey seawall, near to the Concord beach paddling pool, split residents’ and councillors’ opinions.

It depicted the Northern Ireland Troubles, with three men shooting in to the air with guns and others wearing balaclavas with guns.

Some criticised the inclusion of the mural, saying it was offensive to soldiers living on the island and that people didn’t want their children seeing the mural.

Other residents were more supportive of it, claiming it was an important part of the country’s history, and was important on Canvey as the IRA planted a bomb on the island.

Colin Letchford, a member of Friends of Concord Beach who commissions the paintings, said the mural was part of a series depicting the history of murals and was included as there were many murals painted during the Troubles.

However, due to the backlash and not wanting to upset any soldiers, that section of the mural has been painted over and will be replaced with a different depiction of the Troubles.